MOST ETHICAL: Several fashion industry firms were among the 145 named to The Ethisphere Institute’s “World’s Most Ethical Companies” sixth annual list. They included retailers Gap Inc., Patagonia, Costco, Marks & Spencer and Target Corp.; cosmetics companies L’Oréal and Shiseido Co.; textile firm Milliken & Co.; apparel brand Timberland, and eBay Inc. The firms were chosen for promoting ethical business standards and practices by exceeding legal minimums for compliance, introducing innovative ideas that benefit the public and forcing their competitors to follow suit.

“This year’s winners know that a strong ethics program is a key component to a successful business model, and they continue to scrutinize their ethical standards to keep up with an ever-changing regulatory environment,” said Alex Brigham, executive director of Ethisphere, said at Thursday night’s reception announcing the winners. “Corporate ethics has become much more important globally and that is reflected in the truly global nature of this year’s honorees.”